Chapter 12: Heads of the World Government
Brook's Group
Stella pulled out high-tech gloves as Kizaru looked on as Jinbe and Brook attempted an assist to aid the scientist, but were blasted away.
However, the Thousand Sunny then managed to get there in time, accompanied by Emeth who was struggling to keep up.
"This guy doesn't seem mean. It's like a part of me knows him! Come on!," Luffy shouted
Luffy then grabbed the scientist, his crewmates, and Sentomaru as they began to rush away. Shaka, Atlas, and Pythagoras proceeded to press buttons as a green filter began to appear next to the purple dome.
"Sorry, Quasar. We won't be able to party like we did before- quasar.," the old man spoke as Kizaru looked on.
The Admiral scratched his head as he muttered-
"If only it were that simple."
He then dashed in the direction of the ship.
Saturn's Position
The Elder's cane opened up to reveal several lasers to fire at the 39th and Kuma's bodies.
Saturn's eyes then fired red beams in an attempt to slice them as more Pacifista and S-Hawk flew in that general direction before it was blocked by Mihawk.
"You've modified yourself. You're hardly human anymore. Finally matching the inside.," the 39th remarked.
"There's a limit to what the body can do. Machines can go past those limitations but you must discard your old sense of self. Redesign the old in favor of something new. But this is taking too long.," the Elder spoke as he glanced at the Straw Hats being chased by Kizaru.
His form then expanded larger than Kuma as the sides of his hat grew devilish horns. Eight spider legs grew from the sides of his body as his human legs vanished. His bored eyes took on a more animalistic look with large pupils. Flames billowed from his back as a black loop of smoke appeared behind his back.
Luffy and the other combatants all looked in Saturn's direction, feeling his immense Haki.
The 39th continued to look resolute as he saw the shape solidify.
Saturn's beast form was a massive, horned purple spider-like creature, with his upper back covered by a multi-colored flame of yellows and red. He retained his beard, which appears to have grown in mass, and his face retained his human look- making the bestial eyes all the more uncanny.
"Oh shit!... The Elder has revealed the first stage of his divinity! Keep away!," shouted Doberman as he dashed away as Saturn emitted purple miasma from his body as the nearby flora rotted in his presence.
Saturn raised one of his legs as it unnaturally elongated and maneuvered in a serpentine manner to reach the 39th Vegapunk. The 39th, unfazed, generated a force field that bounced off the strike. The force of the impact sent them both spiraling into the air, the flaming spider creature in hot pursuit as he spun his legs around to fly back.
"Divinity?... From where I stand, you look more like a Devil than me.," the scientist remarked as he combined his arms as they whirled their gears into a cannon. It fired a wave motion beam at the Elder.
Saturn spat out a poison ball, which collided with the beam as the two attacks caused a massive explosion that sent both flying backward. Saturn glared at the 39th as curse marks grew on his skin. The latter generated yellow X-shaped markings to counter them as they spread to the ground towards Saturn as contact with the Xs caused Saturn to writhe in pain.
"I see you've been busy with your own experiments, Vegapunk Alpha 39.," Saturn hissed, his voice deepening as the miasma grew thicker around him. He then noticed the syringes that the 39th had fired during their brief scuffles as they emitted a blue-green gas to nullify the miasma and generate seaweed roots to ensnare the Elder.
"In that time, I've also inserted myself with an antidote based on a conventionally extinct seaweed with healing properties as far as the New World goes and sent the vaccines to the others while you were too busy paying attention to the other fights.," the scientist spoke.
Saturn used the flames on his back to incinerate the seaweed covering him. He glared at the 39th as he dodged Kuma's palm strikes.
"You're a fool. Do you think a mere antidote can hold me back?," questioned Vegapunk. You're centuries early to talk back to me, you insect!"
"Yet your ilk mates with them regularly. You entomophiles.," the 39th mocked.
The Elder then entered his hybrid form as the two front legs morphed into clawed hands with his cane reappearing and his bestial eyes went back to their bored expression.
"You can insult me all you wish, but this is just a ploy to allow your kin to escape.," said the Elder as he placed his hand on the ground.
"I invoke the summons.," he said much to the 39th's expression turned to dread as 17 other pentagrams appeared on the ground.
He attempted to use his right hand as an extendable wire generating an electric pulse to negate one of them, but the entities appeared- colossal behemoths of various types accompanying Saturn.
Jaygarcia Saturn- Warrior God of Science and Defense.
In the 1st circle, emerged a red-yellow-purple giant sandworm with a hyper-realistic human-like mouth with square teeth.
Shepherd Ju Peter- Warrior God of Agriculture.
In the 2nd circle, emerged a Bakotsu—a skeletal horse with a red mane.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro- Warrior God of Finance.
In the 3rd circle, emerged a Fengxi- a massive, green four-tusked boar with sharp teeth.
Topman Warcury- Warrior God of Justice.
In the 4th circle, emerged an Itsumade, a giant monster bird with a serpentine body and a vaguely human-like face with a beaked face with sharp teeth, multicolored feathers, and a long serpentine tail.
Marcus Mars- Warrior God of the Environment.
In the 6th circle next to Saturn's 5th on the right, was a Baku, an elephant-headed tiger creature with a light-purple mane with dark stripes.
Quaor Weynot- Warrior God of Politics.
In the 7th circle on Saturn's left, was a massive Tanuki with red eyes with a jagged maw for a mouth.
Gaia Terra- Warrior God of Education.
In the 8th circle, emerged a Tiangou, a completely pitch-black, shaggy-furred dog with a single red eye in the center of its head.
Haumea Namaka- Warrior God of Information.
In the 9th circle, emerged a Shinchu, a massive bestial insect with wide eyes that had black sclera, red irises, a long nose, two bat wings emerging from its back, and a stinger tail.
Make-Make Vincent- Warrior God of Clothing.
In the 10th circle, emerged a Tessō, a colossal rat that was nearly furless except for a patch on the back of the tail.
Orcus Vanth- Warrior God of Settlements.
In the 11th circle, appeared a Hanzaki, a gargantuan salamander with pink axolotl gills- giving it an antler-like appearance with a dark-green hide with an orange underbelly.
Ferry Cha-Ron- Warrior God of Ambassadorship.
In the 12th circle, manifested a Moon Rabbit- having long yellow saber fangs, jade antlers, and emerald feathered wings on its back.
Gong-Gong Xiangliu- Warrior God of Transportation.
in the 13th circle, came forth a Tatarigami- a black tornado-shaped shadow with red eyes and a jagged maw for a mouth covered in purple wailing faces. It towered over the others.
Uranus Ouran- Warrior God of Hunting.
In the 14th circle, summoned forth a blue-skinned cyclops with a single yellow sclera eye with a red iris, dressed in regal attire.
Donquixote Sedna- Warrior God of Entertainment.
In the 15th circle, emerged a Satori, a black-furred ape with yellow teeth of immense size.
Ceres Kuiper- Warrior God of Exploration.
In the 16th circle, arose a Gashadokuro, a four-armed, gigantic skeleton with a red-light in the middle of its empty sockets.
Hygia Badina- Warrior God of Execution.
In the 17th circle, emerged a Keukegen, a slightly goofy-looking dog-like creature covered entirely in long gray hair of titanic size.
Anza Chiron- Warrior God of Punishment.
And in the 18th circle, appeared a Nurarihyon, a gourd-skull-shaped humanoid with greyish-blue skin wearing a black haori over a purple kimono- being huge, but significantly smaller than the others.
Gol Eris- Warrior God of Strategy.
The 39th Vegapunk's expression was now gravely serious. He knew the power of the Elder's summoned beasts all too well. Since he had encountered them before on that island 38 years ago...
"Nerorororororo. Ez...Err, Saturn. You can't handle this on your own? Pathetic.," said the Hitotsume Nyudo as he licked his lips similarly to a certain Warlord.
"Do you want to take it up with HIM for why you're not doing anything?," asked the Gyuki as the cyclops gritted his teeth.
The Gakotsu then looked directly at York, who was horrified at the sight of the massive skull looming down at her.
"The Mother Flame...The Punk Records...Which Towers are they?," he asked in a foreboding, deep voice as York shook and her teeth repeatedly chattering as she struggled to remain conscious.
She pointed to one tower and the massive egg structure on top, knowing lying would get her nowhere.
The Gakotsu looked at the Satori who leaped from its location and climbed onto the specific tower.
"What h-happens now?," asked the Vegapunk.
"Everything else can be replicated. Slaughter every simian outside of our main forces and wipe out everything else.," the skeletal monster spoke.
"I might g-get caught in the crossfire.," the blonde noted.
The Skeleton turned his back to her as he spoke-
"There's someone who can replicate everything here and doesn't need to be bribed with lies of greater purpose. You were always the unnecessary thing never meant to be born. And it's understandable why no one recognizes your half-baked ideas. You will always be the moth to the butterfly that is the Alpha."
York fell to her knees as she thought back to the day they contacted her-
She was busy eating when a Transponder Snail rang as she answered it out of curiosity.
"What is it?-l," she answered.
"You're part of one of the greatest minds in this age. It's a shame your talents are being wasted.," spoke a charismatic voice from the other side.
She was skeptical at first as the voice continued-
"Don't you have unexplored ideas that the others dismiss, seeing you as the bodily functions and lower desires? Treating you like you're not on the same level as the others?"
The voice on the other end of the Transponder Snail had an eerie confidence that sent shivers down York's spine. The words hit too close to home. She had always felt like an outcast in the Satellites, her peers often dismissing her due to being a seemingly absent-minded glutton.
"Who are you?" she managed to ask, her curiosity piqued despite the unease creeping in.
"Someone who sees worth in you.," the voice said.
York then cried as she felt a rush of relief of someone actually acknowledging her.
Her mind then flashed to the present as she cried earnestly.
"How do you really see me?" asked the giant woman.
"HE said to me in private. While earnest and dedicated to their craft...they're ultimately a mistake that happened to be born of a whim.," the skeleton said before she turned to Saturn.
He then removed his hat briefly to reveal a green apple antenna.
"Why couldn't you had the decency of ending your life before you made yourself public. It's embarrassing to me.," he spoke.
York then cried as the Nyudo was about to squash her.
Suddenly as he stomped, a ship managed to get back in time to rescue her.
York opened her eyes to see Atlas.
"Why are you?," asked the blonde before the red-white haired child punched her.
"That's for Lulusia. You're gonna spend the rest of your life making up for it.," the Passion Vegapunk spoke.
The punch was surprisingly strong for someone so young. Atlas' fist connected with her cheek, sending a shockwave of pain through her body. York staggered back, holding her face, eyes wide with a mix of anger and disbelief.
"You don't listen to my ideas! I'm a Vegapunk too! Not your toilet out of your convenience!," cried the blonde.
"I understand...it's my greed that caused this. I see the idea created, but not what consequences happen because I was blindsighted. Sorry for being such...a foolish father...," said Stella as he cried.
York then rushed and hugged her "parent" and cried into his embrace as the Straw Hats looked on.
"You've always been like this. Dismissing your family because they don't live up to your expectations. Like her.," the 39th replied.
"More importantly...WHY AREN'T YOU GETTING THE HELL OUT?! YOU'RE IN DANGER BEING HERE!," shouted the scientist to Franky with tears in his eyes and snot going down his nose.
"You sure are expressing yourself more than that day.," Franky replied.
"It was the rule of the World! It was better that you lived with someone able to give you a decent life compared to a worthless dolt like me!," the 39th cried.
"I'm not staying here 'cause of you. Bonney wants her dad back and so does the little brat that's related to me.," the cyborg replied.
Luffy then looked at the remaining Elders with a resolute expression.
"You World Noble guys...you're in your Zoan forms...Oi, who's the boss?!," demanded Luffy as the Nuraihyon stepped forward.
"You World Noble guys...you're in your Zoan forms...Oi, who's the boss?!," demanded Luffy as the Nuraihyon stepped forward.
"Prararara. I had to hang up everything to deal with this mess. So you're Garp's grandson? You truly have caused a mess not obeying your born purpose of obeying the natural leaders of the world.," he said in a reserved but conceited tone.
"Why are you leaving it up to the Marine guys? You scared of getting your hands dirty and breathing the same air as us?" Luffy questioned, his tone deceptively casual. The tension in the air thickened as the World Noble, Nuraihyon, glared at him. The other Elders shifted uncomfortably, sensing the power surging within the young pirate.
"He might be the next Joyboy but he's unaware of what that entails. Still, the clown will be easier. Let's get this wrapped up so I can have my meat- or at least I would've if those Revolutionaries didn't possess disgusting notions of withholding the rightful bearers of food from the insects who don't deserve it.," the Nyudo spoke as suddenly, Luffy grew in size and punched the Yokai in the face, it not even turning but making him annoyed.
"It's always been like this. That time (thinking of Gray Terminal). And that time (thinking of Sabody Archipelago). And that time too (thinking of Doflamingo's reign over Dressrosa). And now this (thinking of Kuma and Bonney's past). You act like you can force everyone down and put them in chains!," Luffy shouted.
"Well, it serves you right for choosing the wrong side of the conflict. It was only natural we'd always intend to keep you from harming yourselves by reckless dreaming instead of obeying ambition and understanding the status quo.," said Sedna.
"Enough of the banter. Is it ready?," asked the dog as Warcury shrugged.
"They should be finishing it. It'll bypass the unnecessary shedding of unwarranted bloodshed.," the boar spoke.
"Unnecessary?," asked Luffy with a cold tone while still as the white warrior.
He then jabbed the salamander in the gut as the others turned to see his surprising speed.
"Don't say stuff like that when everyone else is suffering because of what you want! I'm gonna kick your asses!," he shouted as the crew prepared to fight, even the more nervous ones.
"Your whimpers are just one of many buzzings that can be silenced by a simple swat.," spoke the Nyudo as he placed his hand on the ground and summoned a barrage of Wano-esque demonic creatures as suddenly cufflinks chained their necks, causing intense pain. Luffy looked infuriated at the sight.
"We don't have time to entertain the whims of some petulant child.," spoke the dog as he and several other World Elders split off into different directions.
"It's your lucky day. You have the privilege of seeing a few of the founders of this current world. By the end, you'll be groveling at my feet.," said Sedna as the Yokai lunged at Luffy's group.
The Moon Rabbit as it spotted the Punk Records, changed its bestial form into a tall, thin, bipedal rabbit hybrid with long arms with large forearms as its hands grabbed the structure and then directed its ears around as if to detect where to send it. After a few seconds, it then flung the structure in the direction of Mary Geoise much to the shock of the Cross Guild Pirates.
"Garling or Akainu or whoever they have on standby will able to at least have the brains to take care not to damage it.," the rabbit spoke in an old woman's voice as she then leaped down in the middle of the Cross Guild group.
"W-wha? Who's that?," asked Buggy as he hid behind one of the railings.
"Read your history. She's likely one of the reserve Elders. And her uncanny resemblance to a power used by one of the founders gave off rumors that she's the same person.," Crocodile spoke.
"Heh. It's just a rabbit freak. I'll make rabbit stew of this hag.," said a burly member as he cracked his knuckles.
"Irerererere. This is why we've done what I suggested in the first place. A mindless dog is better than a clone of a strong-willed wild dog Though, some don't need the surgery given how vapid some are.," the rabbit spoke as they walked forward, towering over the man.
"How dare you insult Master Buggy!," shouted the man before they palm struck the pirate as he bled out from all of his orifices before falling to the ground dead.
"You damn rodent!," shouted one of the snipers before he and several others were snagged the elongated tongue of the Hanzaki who recovered as they summoned the men whole.
Mihawk then turned to see the Nurarihyon.
"You were one of the more promising ones. Your family and ours go way back. Forget this adolescent rebellion. It's in your blood to," the figure spoke before Mihawk cut him down. However, it was a feint as Mihawk turned around to see him on the right of his position.
"Prarararara. You're the Hawk-Eye, but your vision doesn't work if it's distorted.," spoke the being as his form blurred into the background.
The Satori arrived in the room of the Mother Flame. Despite its power, it was a relatively small, but extremely bright flame. The flame itself is kept in suspension inside a gigantic, reactor-like tank of undisclosed liquid, branded with the production code "S-108". This room is located on the first floor of Building B at Egghead's Labophase.
He then knuckle-walked in that direction as he then generated a magic circle to warp it away.
"Gūgū-Gūgū-Gūgū. All set.," spoke the ape as the object vanished in a flash. He turned around to look down at fighters as he flung himself down to start ripping several members in half with a childish glee as blood splattered around the floor.
Galdino and the Buggy Pirates looked in horror as the demonic animals wiped out several of their forces.
Kizaru hovered midair as he looked at the Elder lunged at the Thousand Sunny. Peter generates a vacuum pull with his mouth to drag in the ship as Vanth lunged at Chopper. Franky grabbed him and attempted a pile driver but he was too tough- so both were swatted away against the kitchen chimney.
Sanji rushed as he attempted to kick away the rat, but he was stung by the tail of the Shinchu.
"Can't you go back to using me? Nyornyo Nyarmani's sketchy you know.," said the bug in a more mellow tone to Warcury.
"Are you seriously bringing it up here?... We needed a change of pace.," the boar replied as the bug sulked.
Zoro attempted to attack the bug when the tornado appeared out of nowhere as hands from the column grabbed the swordsman.
"You were once a prominent bounty hunter. How you've fallen.," he said as the arms began to strangle him.
Nusjuro's form morphed from a horse to the top half being the normal bald Elder except now gigantic in size as he stepped forward to stab Zoro.
"He's a Roronoa. That overrides his Shimotsuki traits. They have a habit of being sycophants to that family.," he said as Zoro grimaced.
The Tanuki grabbed Nami and started to crush her ribs. Robin was constrained by the shaggy dog creature who generated dust manifested as a hand to hold her.
Usopp was being chased by Sedna's Yokai creatures while Luffy rushed to protect him, but was punched away by a Gashadokuro's other arms.
Mars grabbed Vega 40 and Bonney as Clisson was rammed from behind by Namaka.
Jinbe and Brook were attacked by Weywot's trunk swatting them to the side and it took on a lance shape in preparation for impaling Stella.
Kizaru sighed as he attempted to snipe the old man to avoid the Elder having the satisfaction of a grisly death.
Suddenly, a horn was heard in the distance as Usopp looked with glee.
"Gababababababa! They look mighty tough!," shouted a giant with a two-horned helmet and short blond beard.
"Gegyagyagyagya!. Luffy was special when we met him, but we didn't know why at first. Now it's clear seeing his new poster. We can't let you kill him!," shouted the long-beard man.
"Hakoku Sovereignty!," they shouted as they released condensed air beams at the Elders to decimate their bodies much to the delight of the more nervous Straw Hats.
The creatures began to reform themselves.
"Huh? What are they doing here?," asked Nami.
"You really helped out our youngins in Sabody and Dressrosa. Time to repay the favor.," said Dorry as he marched alongside Oimo and Kashi to strike at Saturn, Peter, Vanth, and Warcury.
While three were pushed away, the boar was more resolute.
"By that- you admit you follow that figure? Elbaf was always outside our reach.," said the boar as his two front tusks became swords inexplicably as they slashed at Oimu and Kashii.
"Gababababa. The kids here are really becoming softies. As much as I like that Harald guy. It's kinda annoying.," Brogy admitted.
"To think Loki would react that way towards him because he was dumped by that Linlin's kid. I've never met her, but she seems like a piece of work now.," said Dorry.
Terra then lunged at Dorry and began to maul at him as her arms turned into kanabos to strike at him with a frenzied look.
"That's one nasty reindeer. Isn't that right, raccoon dog?," asked Brogy to Chopper, which managed to get the latter extremely infuriated as he reacted with a quiet and stoic anger as he entered into his Monster Point and caught Terra in a suplex.
"I'm the reindeer!," he shouted as he bent back to slam her head against the ground. His arms bled out from the damage he took from engaging in such a task.
All seemed to change in favor of the rebels as the other Giants swept away the Erelim and Seraphim along with the remaining Marines. However, the Elders weren't so easily deterred.
Saturn glared at Kuma with Bonney and his form began to change- not into the bestial Gyuki form, but something that took everyone off guard.
A spike mace tail honed in on the Buccaneer as Bonney looked on. However, it was stopped by Vegapunk 39th allowing his body to take the blow. Vega 40 was stunned at the sight.
Saturn's shadowy form resembled a spiked, ancient dinosaur as Warcury internally spoke-
Why did you reveal it so suddenly? There's going to be questions asked!
"You've always been a nice guy. You can be healed if you just go and work with us. We'll pay you handsomely-," said the Elder's silhouette as Vegapunk 39th replied-
"I don't need money to do science. I live as I want."
"You've...always been like that...so geared to doing the right thing without intending it. Since the day I met you.," Stella cried.
Next Chapter: Two Geniuses
Author Notes: The vast majority of Elders appearing on Egghead was a huge step-up from the already impressive scenario. Luffy continues to speak against the corruptive rule of the World Nobles was also a nice touch. Next time, we explore the complicated relationship of Stella and Vegapunk 39.